Child Physical Abuse

Child Abuse and Corporal Punishment
1. According to Barnett et al. (2011), there are mild to serious traumatic brain injuries that could result from the violent shaking of an infant. The shaken baby syndrome, as the authors point out, is one such traumatic brain injury. On the other hand, Munchausen by Proxy could be described as yet another form of child abuse in which case a caregiver falsifies symptoms (psychological or physical) in a child to medical personnel (Barnett et al., 2011). This a caregiver does in an attempt to meet his or her psychological needs (Barnett et al., 2011). Lastly, we have Neonaticide which according to Miller-Perrin and Perrin (2012) is the deliberate move by a mother to kill her new born child soon after birth (i.e. within the first 24 hours following birth).
2. There are some kinds of interventions that I would implement when dealing with the kinds of child abuse highlighted above. To begin with, when it comes to the shaken baby syndrome, I would be in favor of an intensive family preservation program. This is more so the case given that as Wasik & Roberts (as cited in Barnett et al., 2011) point out, “most such programs focus on training parents in child development and parenting skills, as well as in stress reduction techniques and anger management.” Thus, if such abuse involves a parent, this intervention would seek to address the underlying issues motivating the behavior, i.e. anger. On the other hand, with regard to Munchausen by Proxy, the most appropriate course of action would be placing the child in foster care. This is because as Barnett et al. (2011) point out, the child could end up dying as a consequence of behaviors or actions of this nature. Lastly, the most effective intervention, in my opinion, for Neonaticide would be behavior-based treatment programs that make use of cognitive behavioral techniques. On this front, I would suggest specific focus on the modification of thoughts that produce anger as well as effective approaches of coping with difficult or challenging interactions with a child.
3. Child physical abuse could have a number of long-term effects. One such effect, according to Barnett et al. (2011), is neurobiological and medical complications. For instance, the beating or hitting of a child could result in a fracture or even a physical disability. Secondly, child physical abuse could also result in cognitive difficulties (Barnett et al., 2011). For instance, constant physical abuse could lead to severe organic brain syndromes and as Barnett et al. (2011) observe, could affect the perceptual-motor skills of a child. Lastly, child physical abuse could also result behavioral problems (Barnett et al., 2011). These problems, as the authors further point out, could manifest in terms of “aggression, fighting, noncompliance, property offenses…” etc. (Barnett et al., 2011)
4. As Barnett et al. (2011) point out, “so far there are no federal laws against spanking children, and only half the states ban spanking in child care setting and/or schools" (p. 180). Corporal punishment has a historical, social as well as religious basis. From a historical perspective, it has always been the responsibility of parents to shape the behaviors of their children. Corporal punishment has remained one of the most deployed tools in this regard. Socially, the said acceptance of corporal punishment is born out of the belief that the misbehavior of children is as a consequence of parental failure to discipline children – with discipline in this case being used synonymously with corporal punishment. There is also religious support for the notion that parents have a higher duty to instill discipline in their children. For instance, in Proverbs 13:24, there is an explicit statement to the effect that “whoever spares the rod hates their children…”
When working with a client, I would in no uncertain terms discourage corporal punishment owing to the negative impact it could have on a child – in as far as their mental and physical health is concerned. Towards this end, I would encourage the client to pursue alternative discipline methods such as loss of privileges.
References
Barnett, O.W., Miller-Perrin, C.L. & Perrin, R.D. (2011). Family Violence Across the Lifespan: An Introduction. Washington, DC: SAGE Publications.
Miller-Perrin, C.L. & Perrin, R.D. (2012). Child Maltreatment: An Introduction. Washington, DC: SAGE Publications.